Why Music?

Want your child to have a higher grade point average? Improved math skills? Be 90% more likely to go on to college? Research shows that involving your child in music and music education can be life-changing in how it influences your child's development. Plus by interacting with other positive and motivated students, your child has the opportunity to develop life-long friendships.

"Students with coursework or experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation."
College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board 

Our Mission

Our mission is to support and promote instrumental music education and performance by providing service and value to schools and families in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.

"At Wert Music we put school music students first, offering the best selection, service, and price. We can help your child choose the appropriate instrument for his or her personal success in band. You are welcome to visit us anytime and have your child test play our demo instruments, no appointment is ever necessary!"
Linda & Bob Young, Owners, Wert Music

Our Staff  

Linda Young
President, Owner
859-727-8300

Linda, a trombone player, attended Eastern KY University on scholarship as a Music Education major for 2 years. Unlike today, there was no Music business degree available and that is what she really had an interest in. She transferred to NKU where she later made the decision to start a music store. In 1973, with her parents backing and support she opened Wert Music in Erlanger. Linda and her husband, Bob, purchased the family business in 1994 from her parents, James and Imogene Wert. Linda says she enjoys both the retail and the educational side of the business. Linda believes music is such an important part of a child’s development and has made it her goal over the last 47 years to make learning to play music as affordable and accessible as possible so every child can have the opportunity.

Brandy Murr
General Manager
859-727-8300

Brandy is the General Manager for Wert Music and has been with the company since December of 2012. With more than 18 years of retail management experience, she is happy to be a part of a company that allows her to partner her love of music with her professional life. Brandy oversees all company operations, human resources, and customer accounts. She works closely with the company’s president and management staff on new programs and promotions to provide the best experience possible to all customers. Brandy has always been extremely passionate about keeping music and the arts alive in our schools and looks forward to working with your family and school for all their musical needs!

Jared McKinney
Educational Representative / Sales Manager
859-727-1138

Jared started with Wert Music in January of 2003 as the Erlanger Store Manager and gradually transitioned to his current position of Educational Representative. He now provides outside sales and service to many of the schools and families in Greater Cincinnati while still spending some time inside our stores. Jared was a member of his high school marching band as well as being a professional touring musician for many years. Jared draws on his vast experience in many aspects of the music business to provide support for local musicians with an emphasis on customer service.

Randi McQueary
Erlanger Store Manager
859-727-1138

Randi has been with Wert Music since 2008 and serves as the manager of the Erlanger store. She is responsible for the day to day operations of the store and does the buying and special orders for customers. She is a Saxophone player and earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2005. She is a former music teacher in the KY public schools and is currently in pursuit of her Master of Music degree, also from EKU. Please feel free to stop by the Erlanger store or give her a call to discuss any and all of your musical needs!

Jim Poe
Erlanger Repair Tech


Jim, a trumpet player, has his Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University. Jim is a master repair technician and has over 45 years of experience in instrument repair and has been with Wert Music since 1973. Jim is well known throughout the area and his shop in the Erlanger store is considered to be one of the finest in the tri-state. His inventory of new and old parts helps to shorten repair times so be sure to stop in with your instrument for a free estimate.

John Collins
Repair Tech


John is a professional Trombone player and band instrument repair technician. John has studied trombone for 14 years and is now in his second year of repairing for Wert Music. After earning his bachelors in music performance from Northern Kentucky University he went on to study band instrument repair at Minnesota State College/Southeast Technical in Red Wing, receiving a diploma. John has played for many well known groups in the area including The Filmore Wind Band, Big Bands, Musicals, Churches, and was used as a sub in the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. John has been a private trombone instructor for Wert Music since 2011 where he took over his former teacher's students. John is passionate about continuing to expand his experience as a musician and Repair Tech while working for a company that he grew up in!

Memberships:

Wert Music is a member of the National Association of Music Merchants, the National Association of School Music Dealers, the Kentucky Association of School Music Dealers, and the Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati.